However when he took the stand he argued he was not involved in any conspiracies and that his role was a purely religious one, aimed at encouraging all Muslims to rise up against their oppressors.

The 48-year-old testified that Bin Laden had asked him to be al-Qaeda's spokesman on the night of the 9/11 attacks.

During the trial in Manhattan, the Federal court heard evidence from British al-Qaeda super grass Saajid Badat.

U.S. Prosecutors used the 34-year-old’s evidence in an attempt to show Abu Ghaith played a vital role with al-Qaeda after appearing by bin Laden’s side on video the day after the attack on September 12.

The jury of six women and three men returned its verdict on its second day of deliberations.

Abu Ghaith was convicted of three counts: conspiracy to kill Americans, for which he could face life in prison; and providing material support to terrorists, as well as conspiring to do so, counts that each carry maximum terms of 15 years.